Friday, May 21, 2010

Sunday, 16th of May. I watched with bated anticipation as Mark Webber of Red Bull Racing cruised to an unprecedented two-in-a-row Grand Prix victory in the FIA Formula 1 World Championship Grand Prix de Monaco, the most prestigious event in motor racing history.

The event, marked by horrific crashes, retirements and outstanding overtaking maneuvers, was by no means an easy race. The famous street circuit is lined by concrete barriers and a simple mistake could mean the end of the race exemplified by Fernando Alonso's crash in the closing stages of Friday practice making the Spanish Ferrari driver miss Saturday's Qualifying and having him start from the back of the grid.

Awful situation for the double World Champion but with a strong and competitive car, Alonso climbed up the grid in a slew of precise overtaking moves over mid field teams that had him finish 6th from 24th. Awesome!

Not to take anything away from Red Bull, but it seems that the RB6 in the first half of the season has been blowing away the competition in lap times much like Brawn did in last year's car. 2008 World Champion Lewis Hamilton of McLaren describes the competition as "ridiculously fast!"

The Australian has been the perfect driver for the perfect car and his jumping into sea from the Monaco port after winning his 3rd GP victory to date just explains how comfortable he is right now in the Driver's standing-- tied with teammate Sebastian Vettel, but relegated as first owing to his 2 victories this season to the German's 1.

Many observers think that the RB6's best offense is its superb downforce generation owing to its sleek design but the win in Monaco, a low downforce track, downplays that distinction.

The next round in Turkey, a high downforce track with a string of fast corners come May 30th will once again prove the dominance of the Adrian Newey-designed Formula 1.